What is the Closet Institute of America (CIA)? It is a private closet and storage industry networking trade association exclusively for the independent closet business community. Whereas closet franchises have support structures in place to assist their members, it wasn’t until 2014 that the other 80% (independents) of the closet industry formed their own trade support group. Before that, independents were like ships passing in the night with little support or contact, and everyone making the same mistakes. If I had had access to a networking group like CIA when I started my closet journey 42 years ago, I would have saved myself millions of dollars in costly and avoidable mistakes and many sleepless nights. To join: closetinstitute.org/member-signup

What does CIA offer its membership? 

For a company-wide CIAMO, Closet Institute of America Members-Only fee of $349/year (owners and all key managers have access). CIA offers:

• Eligibility to attend our annual Closet Summit Conference, this year on 10/27-10/29 in Greensboro, NC
• Pre-recorded and live best practice/business webinars and podcasts
• Closet University Online with recorded presentations, panel discussions, product knowledge workshops, keynote closet industry speakers, round table break-out sessions.
• Special vetted strategy groups called SEALS Teams where non-compete company owners exchange best practices, confidential quantitative industry performance benchmarking, statistics, key business data points and intense networking.
• Resource Guide including our Forms and Document Exchange, Photo Exchange (coming in 2026), preferred industry Vendors and Suppliers list, Outsource Component Manufacturers Index, industry consultants and support professionals, digital marketing benefits

All independents are welcome regardless of size or experience, if you are willing to share information, experiences, wisdom, advice, best practices, and support. We are in the business of networking, collaborating and establishing lifelong relationships with our closet peers. 

Every October, the membership gathers for our annual conference. In 2026, we will be in Greensboro, North Carolina, from October 27th to 29th at the Grandover Resort. The Summit is a conference with vendors embedded into every aspect of the event. Our sponsored host tours this year will include Dream Closets showroom and manufacturing facility and Hafele’s state-of-the-art order processing center, new Design Center, new Lighting Display Exhibit, and their Service+ special order division. This conference is limited to the first 400 Closet Institute of America Members-Only (CIAMO). Learn more at closetinstitute.org/closet-summit.